IN Data

Human Error

vs

Malicious Attacks

The Reality of Data Breaches

While data breaches are generally associated with malicious cyberattacks, the reality can be quite different. Using data obtained through a Freedom of Information Request to the UK Information Commissioner, Kroll has identified that human error was responsible for the vast majority of data breaches over the last two years

“Effective cyber security is not just about technology. Often, companies buy the latest software to protect themselves from hackers, but fail to instigate the data management processes and education of employees required to mitigate the risks.

“The majority of data breaches, and even many cyber attacks, could be prevented by human vigilance or the implementation of relatively simple security procedures.”

“Contrary to the popular belief that cybersecurity and data breaches are all due to malicious attackers trying to break into an organisation and steal data, inadvertent human error is likely to be the biggest reason why a company loses data.

“Misaddressed emails are consistently one of the main forms of data security incident reported to the ICO highlighting the importance of cybersecurity and data protection policy to not only focus on preventing the headline grabbing hacks, but also save your employees from themselves.”